Crews clear scene of Richmond pallet fire

Firefighters responded to a pallet fire at 9821 Route 12 in Richmond at about 9:03 p.m. on Saturday. (Photo provided)

RICHMOND – Crews worked for about 17 hours before clearing the scene of a large pallet fire.

Firefighters responded at 9:03 p.m. Saturday to American Pallet Industries at 9821 Route 12, and did not clear the scene until about 4 p.m. Sunday.

When first responding to the scene, firefighters found a 150-by-40-foot area filled with wooden pallets stacked 20 feet high. To keep the fire from spreading, firefighters pulled pallets from the area, said Fire Chief Rick Gallas.

During the night and early morning hours, firefighters used foam, which is used to help smother the fire, said Richmond Township Fire Protection District Lt. Keven Barnes.

Crews used a front-end loader Sunday afternoon while cleaning up and moving the remaining embers into one large 50-by-50-foot pile for the property owner to monitor, Barnes said.

“There was a lot of wood,” Barnes said.

Richmond called for help from 25 area fire departments, including units from McHenry County, Lake County and Wisconsin. Departments began to leave the scene about 4:30 a.m. Sunday.

The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation. The State Fire Marshal’s office is expected to come to the scene on Monday.

There were no injuries. The fire department did not have a damage estimate.

– Joseph Bustos

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